How to Start an M750 That Hasn't Run in 3 Years?

[ldouce90]

So I purchased a 2001 M750 (7358 Miles) about a week ago for a good price, and the bike looks great, but it hasn't been run in three years...

So my question is, what do I do first? I've already taken the carbs off and cleaned them, and I've also drained all the fuel from the tank (didn't spot any rust either). But I'm at a loss for what to do now. It needs a new battery and tires, and I've googled how to properly start a bike that has been stored for so long, but I was curious as to what everyone else on this site would do?

[Raux]

So I purchased a 2001 M750 about a week ago for a good price, and the bike looks great, but it hasn't been run in three years...

So my question is, what do I do first? I've already taken the carbs off and cleaned them, and I've also drained all the fuel from the tank (didn't spot any rust either). But I'm at a loss for what to do now. It needs a new battery and tires, and I've googled how to properly start a bike that has been stored for so long, but I was curious as to what everyone else on this site would do?

Don't start it until you've changed the timing belts and checked your valve clearances.

[ldouce90]

I haven't checked those yet, I planned on picking up the Haynes Manual for this bike later today, are they as helpful as the ones they release for cars?

[Lore]

Change the oil and filter first!

then check the spark plugs 

[ldouce90]

Change the oil and filter first!

then check the spark plugs 

I did pick up a crate of oil and a new filter not too long after I got the bike, but I did read somewhere that it was better to put new oil in the bike, run it for a few minutes, then do another oil change and change the filter?

[Howie]

DO change the belts.  Though the probability of a belt breaking on start up may be small, the damage that can occur is not.  

I would probably hold off on the tires until I got the bike running.  You want new tires to ride it, but get it running first unless you plan on keeping it no matter how badly it runs.

If the oil looks good get the bike running and warm.  Then change the oil.  If the oil doesn't look that good change the oil with cheap Dino oil, get it warm, then change the oil and filter with good stuff.  Change the brake and clutch fluid too before you put the bike on the road.

Oh, new spark plugs can save you a lot of grief.

[AdmiralKit]

If you're replacing the battery, go with a sealed battery instead of a vented one.  You're going to pay a hefty premium considering the awkward dimensions and the polarity configuration of the battery, but it's worth the cost.  The vented replacement battery I bought ended up venting all over the side of my bike and borking up the paint on the frame and stator cover... great incentive for changing the frame color, but not something you want to immediately want to be pondering.

[take risks]

This is what I did to mine and it runs great.

Drained gas tank, new gas w/Seafoam, change oil and oil filter, brake/clutch fluid, air/fuel filters, clean/lube chain, timing belts, spark plugs, then start the bike, and .

[ldouce90]

Thanks for all the replies! This is all something I'll have to do when I get a day off... Are most people running sealed batteries?

[AdmiralKit]

I know I certainly am, a lot of other people have gone that route as well, and I think it's now stock for them to come with sealed batteries.

Here's a link to a sealed replacement that'll fit on your bike.  If you can wait a couple of days for transit time during shipping, I think you'll find this a cost-effective investment in your bike: http://www.impactbattery.com/brands/motobatt/motobatt-mb16au-sealed-yuasa-yb16al-a2-upgrade.html

[Howie]

I don't know what is in your bike now, but it came out of the factory with an AGM (sealed) battery, Yuasa YT12B-BS or equivalent.

[AdmiralKit]

I don't know what is in your bike now, but it came out of the factory with an AGM (sealed) battery, Yuasa YT12B-BS or equivalent.

Since Howie also has a 2001 M750, I would heed his advice in this situation over mine, but for the love of all that's holy get a sealed battery.  The stock one in my 2000 M750 was a YB16A-A2.   The sealed YB12B fit in my battery bay but had the polarity reversed and didn't have the expected length, so I had to rig up another 4-6" of battery terminal cable to cover the extra distance.  Since Howie also has a 2001 M750, I would heed his advice in this situation over mine, but for the love of all that's holy get a sealed battery.

Short version is that if your battery bay is will accommodate a 3.25" Wide by 8.5" Long by 6.5" High battery, it's a YB16A... if not it's a YB12B.